Newark and Wilmington Celebrate Beer

Drink Wine, Do Good

To help kids in distress in Delaware and around the world, a portion of the sale of each flight of exclusive wines from Conti di San Bonifacio wines at any SoDel Concepts restaurant with benefit The Global Delaware Fund. A flight of these three wines, consisting of 2.5 oz. pours, is available at each beach-area restaurant for $19. The Bonafacio wines, all from 2008, all 100 percent organic, include the Monteregio Sangiovese, the Docet Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc blend and the Sustinet Syrah. Both the Docet and Sustinet were awarded three stars (93 points or better) in the exclusive 2012 Gold Guide Veronelli, an Italian wine publication. The Sustinet was also recognized as the No. 2 Syrah in the world and the No. 3 organic-biodynamic wine by Decanter Magazine, a European equivalent to Wine Spectator. So your sampling puts you in exclusive company. Bottles of the wines are on hand for sale at each restaurant, and at Bin 66 in Rehoboth Beach. When SoDel owner Matt Haley visited Conti di San Bonifacio in Tuscany in 2010, he was inspired by the methods and story of the proprietor, Count Manfredo. “I was so impressed with him and his family and his facility,” Haley says. “It was absolutely beautiful. It was a no-brainer.” The friendship grew, so Haley now serves as a consultant to the chef of the vineyard’s resort. Haley formed The Global Delaware Fund in January 2011 to get goods and services to at-risk children. Aid includes food, clothing and shelter, as well as counseling, scholarships and educational grants. Global Delaware aims to create long-term sustainability through knowledge and education. For more information on the wines and resort, click disanbonifacio.com. For more on the restaurants—including Lupo di Mare in Rehobth and Catch 54 in Fenwick, visit sodelconcepts.com.

Another Cheer for Beer

It’s Wilmington Beer Week until July 21, which means special dinners featuring primo brews at great restaurants all across town. It also means Iron Hill's Brewed in Delaware Beer Dinner on July 19. All beer served is, of course, brewed in the First State. Here’s the lineup:

You like beer. You like food. You missed Wilmington Beer Week. Never fear. You can make up for it in Newark during the ninth annual Food and Brew Fest on July 28. Seventeen restaurants in Newark will offer creative pairings of food and imported or craft beers. Unlike most beer festivals, this one takes place in the restaurants, and you can walk most of the tour. Tickets are not required, so you pay as you go. Beer tastings and food specials begin at 2 p.m. and run until 8 p.m. The first 2,500 guests will receive a Food & Brew Fest 9 commemorative mug, available at all participating restaurants and at the information booth. Guests can sample one of each restaurant’s featured brews for $1. A day-of-event program will be available at the restaurants and at the information booth located at the Academy Building lawn at Academy and Main streets. The event also features the popular Hops and Shops Sidewalk Sale Extravaganza, which begins at noon. Out & About Magazine is hosting a root beer tasting stand for kids on the Academy Lawn until 6 p.m. or until supplies run out. Municipal parking lots are located throughout downtown and a free shuttle will take you to stops near all of the participating restaurants from 4 p.m. till 8:30 p.m. 655-6483, NewarkFoodandBrewFest.com

The ABCs of Best, Revisited

We’re up to E, F and G but because there is no category that begins with G, you get Hs instead. That includes Best Happy Hour, which is just about the time the annual Best of Delaware Party begins at Dover Downs on July 26. You won’t want to miss it. Sample food and drink from among 100 vendors, including some retailers. Here’s a teaser. For more winners, click here. For more on the party, click here.

Editors, upstate: Grotto Pizza is bright and cheerful, with ports on TV for the adults and, in some locations, arcade games for the kids. From pizza to spaghetti to chicken fingers, the menu satisfies all. various locations, grottopizza.com

Editors, downstate: We enjoyed the cozy booths and overhead model train at the original First Street location of Nicola Pizza. We love the big, new restaurant on the avenue. 8 N. First St., Rehoboth Beach, 227-6211; 71 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 227-6211; nicolapizza.com

Best Farm-to-Table Dining

Editors, downstate: Special farm-to-table dinners are a big events at Nage, which sources the best in Sussex produce and seafood as a matter of course. 19730 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach, 226-2037, nage.bz

Editors, over the line: It’s no fad at The Fair Hill Inn. Chefs Philip Pyle and Brian Shaw spend as much time tending their on-site garden as preparing beautiful dishes. 3370 Singerly Road, Elkton, 410-398-4187, fairhillinn.com

Editors, upstate: At Stoney’s British Pub expect them the way a real Brit would do it. Thank owner Mike Stone for his authentic recipe. It’s a secret, natch. 3007 Concord Pike, Wilmington, 477-9740, stoneyspub.com

Editors, upstate (tie): There’s an upcharge when you substitute the white truffle-Parmesan fries for the batter-dipped fries that usually come with your sandwich at the World Café Live, but they’re worth every penny. The subtle flavor of truffle blends magically with the hint of cheese to create a flavor that is just made for potatoes. Two Stones Pub is hip to the truffle treatment, too, and we couldn’t be happier. Two Stones Pub 2 Chesmar Plaza, Newark, 294-1890, twostonespub.com; World Cafe Live, 500 N. Market St., Wilmington, 994-1400, queen.worldcafelive.com/restaurant

Best Editors, upstate: No gastropub is complete withut lots of beer. Ulysses American Gastropub boasts 24 taps with a steady rotation of interesting brews, not to mention great food—lamb stew pot pit, macaroni and cheese with chevre and braised short rib, plus mussels any way you want them.1716 Marsh Road, Wilmington, 691-3456, ulyssesgastropub.com

Editors, upstate: We haven’t seen quinoa on many menus. At Fresh Thymes, the miracle grain is made into a delicious breakfast dish. Food from sausages and eggs to produce are sourced locally, organic when possible, and always fresh. 1836 Lovering Ave., Wilmington, 656-2026

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